Thursday, 28 May 2015

How to install Windows 7 as a virtual machine using VMware Workstation

Want to run Windows 7 but don't want to install it over your other version of Windows? No problems! I'll show you how!First you need to install VMware Workstation (or Player) which you can do here:VMware Workstation (trial version): LinkVMware Player (free): LinkI'm using VMware Workstation so the process may differ slightly from VMware Player.Method:Step 1:With VMware installed, run it and click Create a Virtual Machine. A wizard will pop up.

Step 2:Choose Custom (advanced) and click next.Step 3:It will now ask you what virtual machine hardware compatibility it should be. Leave this as Workstation 11.0 and click next.

Step 4:Now it will ask for your iso file. That can be downloaded here. (Windows 7 Ultimate 32 and 64 bit.) However, if you have a Windows 7 installer disc that can be used also.

Step 5:Now it will want your Windows 7 Ultimate product key, what version of Windows 7 to install, (in this case Ultimate) and your account details.

Step 6: Now click next, and now you will name your VM.Step 7:Select EFI and click next.Step 8:Here you choose how many processors Windows 7 will have. Leave it as it is and click next.Step 9:Here you choose the memory your VM will get. I'm giving it 4GB (4096 MB) because I have an 8GB pc.

Step 10:Select Use Bridged Networking and click next.Step 11:Click next 2 times. Now you will be taken to the virtual hard disk page. Click next. Now here is where you specify how much hard drive space your VM will use. I'm going for 40GB, but you can do more or less as you please. Note that Windows 7 requires a minimum of 16GB to install.

Step 12:Click next.Now you are finished! Click next again and your VM will power on and then Windows 7 will install. Thanks for reading this and I hope that this post helped you! Don't forget to subscribe to this blog for more helpful tips and tricks!Peace out! :)